Landmark study could trigger a return to full-fat bottle milk

When choosing your preferred type of
bottle milk, you probably consider the fat content - and many of us opt for
semi-skimmed or even skimmed milk as a health-conscious choice.

But is full-fat bottle milk really
unhealthy? A landmark study in the open-access journal BMJ Open Heart suggests
guidelines introduced in the 1970s-80s are deeply flawed.

In 1977 and 1983, the UK and US
governments both introduced dietary guidelines recommending a reduction in
dietary fat, in order to tackle coronary heart disease.

But the new research, which looks at
six relevant clinical trials from that time, with almost 2,500 male
participants, claims there was no firm evidence to support the guidelines.

In particular, there were no trials
with female participants, no trials to test the dietary recommendations, and no
trial that even concluded dietary guidelines were needed.

Their statistical analysis also found
no significant decrease in coronary heart risk for men who reduced their intake
of dietary fat.

"It seems incomprehensible that
dietary advice was introduced for 220 million Americans and 56 million UK
citizens, given the contrary results from a small number of unhealthy
men," the researchers write.

So after 30 years of guilt, perhaps
it's time to focus on the facts, and reach for the full-fat milk if you prefer
the taste.